Portable fire-escape.



M. HOHL.

PORTABLE FIRE ESCAPE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 19, 1911.

1,057,835, Patented. Apr. 1, 1913.

3 SHEETSSHEET 1.

IN VEN T OR:

ATTORNEY.

M. HOHL. PORTABLE FIRE ESCAPE. APPLIOATION FILED JULY 19, 1911.

1,057,835. Patented Apr. 1, 1913.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES: 6' 4 l7 ATTORNEY.

M. HOHL. PORTABLE FIRE ESCAPE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 19, 1911.

1,057,835, Patented Apr. 1, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

ATTORNEY.

outrun srA'rEs PATENT ora ion.

MARTIN HOE-IL, INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

PORTABLE FIRE-ESCAPE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARTIN HoHL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Portable Fire-Escape, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to apparatus adapted to enable either adults or children to safely escape from the windows of buildings in case conflagrations in the buildings prevent escape by way of stairways or elevators within the buildings, the invention having reference more particularly to improvements in flexible tubes adapted to permit occupants of buildings to safely descend therethrough to the ground.

The object of the invention primarily is to provide a convenient and improved fire-escape by the use of which the most timid or excited persons may quickly escape from buildings without liability to injury in the descent, a further object being to provide an improved adjustable flexible tube which will be so constructed as to permit it to be readily enlarged or contracted in diameter in order to render it more convenient for larger or smaller persons; a still further object being to provide a fire-escape of the above men tioned character that will be adapted to be readily lengthened orshortened as exigency may require, and which shall be of light weight so that it may be readily handled and placed in position for use.

lVith the above mentioned and minor objects in view, the invention consists in an improved sectional and diametrically adjustable tubular fire-escape provided with an improved internal rope adapted for use of those descending in the tube, to enable them to govern speed of descent; and the invention consist-s further in the novel parts and combinations and arrangements of parts embodied in the construction thereof, as hereinafter particularly described and pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a building to which the improved fire-escape is connected in position for use; Fig. 2, a fragmentary internal view of the building at the window with which the fire-escape is connected, looking outward into the tube; Fig. 3, a fragmentary perspective view of the tube in di- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 19, 1911.

Patented Apr. 1, 1913.

Serial No. 639,264.

ametrically contracted condition; Fig. 4, a fragmentary perspective view of the terminal end of the tube partially in section; Fig. 5, a fragmentary longitudinal section of the tube as on the plane of the line A A. in Fig. 2; Fig. 6, a transverse section of the tube on the plane of the line B B in Fig. 5; Fig. 7, a fragmentary sectional detail on the plane of the line C C in Fig. 2; Fig. 8, a fragmentary section of a portion of the supporting frame ofthe tube on the plane of the line D D in Fig. 7; Fig. 9, a fragmentary section of the supporting frame on the plane of the line E E in Fig. 5; Fig. 10, a fragmentary sect-ion of the frame on the line G G in Fig. 9; Fig. 11, a side elevation of a part of the frame folded; Fig. 12, a fragmentary side view of a part of the frame in operative condition; Fig. 13, a fragmentary perspective view of a modified form of supporting frame and a tube connected thereto; and Fig. 14:, a

perspective view of a partof the preferred form of supporting frame.

Similar reference characters throughout the drawings indicate like element-s or features of construction herein referred to.

In the drawings the numeral 1 indicates a building, 2 the sidewalk at the front of the building; 3 a window sill, 4 and-4L the window frame casings in the interior of the building, and 5 the lower sash of the window.

The improved fireescape comprises essentially a tubular main section 6 which may be of sufficient length for a one story building; a terminal section 7 and one or more intermediate sections 8, the body portions of all the sections being substantially alike, the terminal end of each section being adapted to enter the inlet end of the terminal and intermediate sections. Each section is composed of suitable material such as canvas and preferably is sufficiently heavy and stiff to enable the tube to stand out in approximately cylindrical form when in use. Each tubular section is made of a sheet of the material, and two edges are brought together to -form a longitudinal seam 9 which is arranged so as to be at the upper side of the tube when in use, the remaining portions of the tube being unobstructed or substantially smooth so as to avoid the presentation of any obstacle to a person sliding through the tube. A suitable number of rings 10 and 10 are secured to the exterior of each section at the longitudinal seam preferably by means of a longitudinally arranged strip or welt 11 extending along the outer side of the seam and secured thereto, serving the double purpose of securing the rings to the section and stiffening the fabric so that it will not read ily collapse abruptly. Two similar strips or welts 12 and 13 are secured longitudinally on the outer side of each section at a suitable distance from the seam, one strip 12 being utilized to secure a suitable number of rings 14 and 1a to the tubular section, and the other strip 13 being utilized to secure other rings 15 and 15 to the section. The fabric is adapted to fold in order that the upper portion may be drawn together so that'the strips 12 and 13 may be brought nearly together, and thus the diameter of the tubular section is decreased, as illustrated more particularly in Fig. 3, further explained herein after.

The inlet end portion of the main sec-- tion is provided with a suitable frame whereby to connect it to the window frame of a building in a substantial manner, either permanently or removably as may be desired.

The preferred form of the supporting frame of the main section comprises preferably two horizontal bars adapted to be placed against the window casings 4i and 4 and upright spreaders connecting the two bars together, the horizontal bars consisting of tubes 16 and 17 having reinforcing plugs 18 and 18 driven in one end portion thereof, the opposite end portions having extension rods 19 and 19 therein respectively which are secured adjustably by means of collars 20 and 20 embracing the tubes, and set screws 21 and 21 inserted in the collars and extending through the tubes to the rods. The reinforced end portions of the tubes preferably are provided with hinging members comprising a base plate 22 having two hinging ears 23 and 23 thereon, and provided with a hinge pin 2% extending through the tube 16 and its reinforcement 18; and a base plate 25 having hinging ears 26 and 26 thereon provided with a hinge pin 24L extending through the tube 17 and its reinforcement 18', the plates 22 and 25 being secured to one of the window frame casings l with the plate 22 close to the window sill so that the lower bar may be supported on the window sill, the horizontal bars thus being permitted to swing away from the window opening when not in use. The spreaders preferably are adapted to be folded for convenience in handling in case the frame is not hingedly supported, and they comprise two members 27 and 27 provided with shackles 28 and 28 for holding the members in contact with the tube 17, the contacting ends of the members preferably having crotches 29 and 29 therein respectively to receive the tube. The shackles preferably are connected to the members by means of pivoting screws 30. The spreaders comprise also companion memhe 31 and 31 respectively which are connected to the members 27 and 2? by means of hinges and 32 respectively. The members 2? and 31 are provided with eyes 33 and 34 respectively through which a pin is inserted for holding the members in alinement. The members 2'? and 31 are similarly provided with eyes 33 and 31 respectively, in which a pin is inserted. The

free ends of the members 31 and. 31 prefer ably have crotches 3G and therein to (5 is formed with a mitered elbow section L0 and also a similar section 71-1, the latter preferably being composed of doubled fabric, and. the longer portions of both elbow sections are uppermost so that the inlet end portion of the tube section is slightly curved in order to fit conveniently in a window frame and extend downwardly at the outer side of the building. The section 41 has a portion 4-1 turned over the tube 16 of the supporting frame, and also a portion 4-1 turned over the tube 1? of the frame, and has a slit $2 to clear a ring 4-3 which is placed on the tube 1? mid way between the spreaders.

In some cases a less elaborate supporting frame of cheap construction is provided which comprises a ring secured to the elbow sect-ion ll of the tube and two horizontal bars and MS pass through portions of the ell ow section adjacent to the ring, the ring being connected to the ring ll as illustrated in Fig. 13.

The exterior of the outlet end portion of the main tube section 6 and each intermediate section 8 is provided with a suitable number. of snap hooks 47 adapted to hook into a like number of rings d8 with which the exterior of the intermediate section 8 and the terminal section '7 are provided, one section being inserted into another section and coupled together by means of the hooks and rings. The outlet end of the terminal section 7 is provided with a hoop or ring 419, and a suitable number of hooks 50 are connected thereto, the points of the hooks usually being covered by means of suitable caps The exterior of the terminal section is provided with suitable handles 52 for lifting the terminal end.

Two lacing cords 53 and 53 are secured to the upper horizontal bar of the supporting frame and are laced through the rings 10 and also through the rings 14: and 15 for contracting the tube in diameter, there being two cords for each tube section and the cords of the main section are provided with coupling hooks 54: adapted to be quickly connected to similar hooks 54 with which the cords of the adjacent section are provided. An attendant at the terminal end of the sectional tube may draw the cords at will or release them as may be desired. Each tube section is provided also with another cord 55, the cord of the main section being provided with a hook 56 that is connected to the ring 43, the opposite end of the cord being provided with a coupling hook 57 adapted to be connected to a similar hook 57' with which the cord of the adjacent section is provided. The sectional cord 55 extends through all the rings 10, 10, and enables an attendant to exert his force to prevent the tube from sagging undesirably while in use.

Each tube section is provided internally with a rope or cable 58 which is provided at one end with a hook 59 that is connected to the ring 48, the opposite end of the rope being provided with a coupling book 60 adapted to be connected to a similar hook 60 with which the rope of the adjacent tube section is provided. Each rope is covered by a rubber tube 61 suitably secured to the rope so as to enable persons to slide their hands freely along the rope without burning their hands, the rubber enabling the person to firmly hold to the rope when desired. The coupling hooks 60 and 60 are of the type commonly known as bell cord couplings which permits the hands to pass freely over them.

In emergency when a relatively short fireescape tube is suflicient the terminal section 7 may be utilized by removing the caps 51 from the hooks 50, and after inverting the section the hooks 50 may be connected to the inner side of a window frame for support.

In practical use, in case the supporting frame is hinged to the building and the tubular escape folded up within the building, it is only necessary to throw the tubular escape out of the open window and swing the supporting frame around to operative position as shown in Fig. 2, and the terminal end of the tube should be attended to by persons on the ground, it being desirable that the tube be drawn out at an inclination somewhat as shown in Fig. 1 and may be held up from the ground, or obviously a mattress may be placed on the ground if de sired at the end of the tube. When the tube is not permanently connected to a building, it will be understood that the inlet end is to be drawn up to a window and connected therewith by firemen. It will be seen from the foregoing that a person may enter the tube and grasp the rope 58 or its cover 61 and easily hold to it sufliciently to prevent too rapid descent, the descent being retarded by frictional contact with the under portion of the tube. The terminal hook 59 of the rope 58 with which the terminal section is provided may be connected to the ring 49 or be held by an attendant.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new, is-

1. In a fire-escape, a supporting frame comprising two tubes, two spreaders having each a crotch in one end thereof receiving a portion of one of said tubes and a crotch in the oppositeend thereof receiving a portion of the remaining one of said tubes, two shackles connected to the two spreaders respectively and extending about one of said tubes, and two hooks connected to the two spreaders respectively and engaging the remaining one of said tubes, in combination with a flexible tube having portions thereof connected to said two tubes.

2. In a fire-escape, a supporting frame comprising two tubes, two spreaders having each a crotch in one end thereof receiving a portion of one of said tubes and a crotch in the opposite end thereof receiving a portion of the remaining one of said tubes, two shackles connected to the two spreaders respectively and extending about one of said tubes, two books connected to the two spreaders re spectively and engaging the remaining one of said tubes, and two rods adjust-ably secured in said two tubes respectively, in com- 100 bination with a flexible tube having portions thereof connected to said two tubes.

3. In a fire-escape, a supporting frame comprising two tubes, two spreaders having each a crotch in one end thereof receiv- 105 ing a portion of one of said tubes and a crotch in the opposite end thereof receiving a portion of the remaining one of said tubes, two shackles connected to the two spreaders respectively and extending about 110 one of said tubes, two hooks connected to the two spreaders respectively and engaging the remaining one of said tubes, two collars secured to one of said tubes at the outer sides of said spreaders, and two collars secured 1 to the remaining one of said tubes at the outer sides of said spreaders, in combination with a flexible tube having portions thereof connected to said two tubes between said two spreaders.

4. In a fire-escape, a supporting frame comprising two tubes, two spreaders loosely connected at one end to one of said tubes and at the opposite end to the remaining one of said tubes, two supporting devices 12 pivoted to one end of said two tubes respectively, two collars secured to one of said tubes at the outer sides of said spreaders, two collars secured to the remaining one of said tubes at the outer sides of said spread- 130 ers, two rods adjustable longitudinally in said two tubes respectively and extending beyond the opposite ends thereof, two clamping collars on said two tubes respectively adjacent said opposite ends, and two set-screws mounted in said two clamping collars and extending respectively through said tubes to said rods, in combination with a flexible tube having portions thereof connected to said two tubes.

5. In a fire-escape, a supporting frame comprising two tubes, two spreader members having each an end connected with one of said tubes, the opposite end portion of each of said members having an eye thereon, two spreader members hinged at one end. to said opposite ends of the first- (lescribed members and having each an eye on said hinged end portion, the opposite ends of said last-described members being connected to the remaining one of said tubes, two pins removably inserted respec tively in the eyes of the two adjacent hinged members, two chains connecting the two pins respectively with two of said members. two collars secured to one of said tubes at the outer sides of the two members respectively that are connected to said tube, and. two collars secured to the remaining one of said tubes at the outer sides of the two members respectively that are connected to said tube, in combination with a flexible tube having portions thereof connected to said two tubes.

6. In a fire-esoape, the combination of two tubes, two spreaders connected to the two tubes, two support-ing devices pivoted to one end of the two tubes respectively and rigidly supported, two collars secured to one of the tubes at the outer sides of the two spreaders respectively, two collars secured to the remaining one of the tubes at the outer sides of the two spreaders respectively, a ring loosely embracing one of said tubes, a flexible tube connected to said two tubes between said spreaders and at opposite sides of said ring, a snaphook connected to said ring, a rope secured to said snaphook and extending into said flexible tube, and a flexible tube inclosing said rope and secured thereto.

'7. In a fire'escape, a folding supporting Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

frame comprising two tubes, two spreader members having each a crotch in one end thereof receiving a portion of one of said tubes, two shackles connected to the two members respectively and extending about the tube that is in the crotches, two spreader members hinged at one end to the opposite end of the first-described members and having each a crotch receiving a portion of the remaining one of the tubes; and having also a hook thereon removably holding the tube in the crotch, each of said members being beveled at the edges of said crotches, collars secured to the tubes at the outer sides of the spreader members, two rods adjustably secured in said two tubes respectively, and two supporting devices pivoted to said two tubes respectively, in combination with a flexible tube having portions thereof connected to said two tubes.

8. In a fire-escape, the combination with a supporting frame, of a flexible tube connected to the frame, a plurality of rows of rings connected to the outer side of said flexible tube, two cords and also a ring con nected to the supporting frame, said two cords extending through the rings of one of said rows and also through the rings of two other rows respectively, a rope connected to said ring and extending into said flexible tube, and a cord connected also to said ring and extending through the rings of one of said rows that said two cords extend through.

9. In a fire-escape, the combination of a supporting frame comprising two bars, a flexible tube connected to the frame, a plurality of rows of rings connected to the outer side of said tube, two cords spaced apart and connected to one of said bars adjacent to different portions of said tube, said cords extending convergently to and through the rings of difi'erent rows thereof, and a cord connected to said frame between said two cords and extending through the rings of one of said rows.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MARTIN HOHL.

\Vitnesses:

P. A. I-IAvELroK, LENARD I-IoHL.

Washington, D. C. 

